As we go about our daily lives, it’s common that we forget to take the time to plan for the future and get our finances under control. After a while, the things that we forget to do can pile up and cause large financial problems that are difficult to fix. When this occurs you have a few options concerning where to find financial help.

However do keep in mind that preventing financial problems in the first place is much easier than fixing them after the fact.

Financial Education

I’m a strong believer that the best person to manage your finances is you. Learning about finance and financial planning will have an positive impact on your life. The more you understand about the elements of financial planning (investing, budgeting, risk management and estate planning) the better prepared you will be to tackle financial challenges when they occur.

Launching your financial education is easy. I started by reading personal finance books from my local bookstore. However, there are many other sources of financial education such as blogs and financial news programs. The information is out there, all you have to do is seek it.

Financial Coaches

Financial coaches are also a great source for financial help. Financial coaches can provide a wealth of information and experience that will help you find solution to your largest financial challenges. Financial coaches help by providing a second and unbiased opinions concerning financial challenges. Sometimes all that is needed are a few new ideas and some encouragement.

To begin your search for a financial coach, look to friends and family whom you trust and feel comfortable with. Your financial coach doesn’t need to be a financial professional, just someone who has a little more experience and financial knowledge.

Financial Planners and Advisors

In addition to the do-it-yourself and assisted approaches listed above, you can also choose to seek professional guidance from a financial planner or advisor. Most financial planners provide comprehensive services that include gathering financial data and analysis, developing budgets, selecting financial products on your behalf and portfolio management.

While seeking financial help from a professional advisor is a great idea, the additional costs can be rather prohibitive. In addition, simply learning more about financial planning can be enough to help most people seeking financial help.

When looking where to find financial help, there are three main sources that you can use. However, keep in mind that you are the best person to manage your finances so I suggest seeking financial education as the first step.